Things You'll Need:
- Router bits Wood Safety goggles Earplugs Dust mask Work table Clamps
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Step 1
Select a bit. For basic cuts, there are two types of bits. An edge bit has a wheel on the bottom that rolls along the edge of the wood. A non-edge bit does not and is used to cut inside the perimeter of the wood piece.
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Step 2
Place the bit into the collet without sinking it all the way to the bottom and tighten the collet.
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Step 3
Clamp the piece of wood you will be working on very solidly in place. Routers operate at a very high rate of speed and can send an insecure piece of wood spinning through the air.
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Step 4
Put on safety glasses, earplugs and a dust mask.
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Step 5
Plug in the router and turn on the power switch. Hold onto it with both hands at all times.
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Step 6
Move the router across the wood from left to right to avoid splintering from the clockwise motion of the cutting bit. Running the router in a direction opposite to the bit's rotation also keeps it from running out of control. Cut in 1/4-inch increments or less on each pass.
